Lubricant and process of making the same



Patented 1.7,,19275 [1515283461 ATE 2 F,' 1 ce. l

Amman E. BECKER, or ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, assreivon. 'ro STANDARD DEVELOP- MEN! comramr; A conrona'r'ron" or DE AWAR LUBRICANT AND PROCESS OF THE SAME.

30 Drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in lubricants of the type comprising an oleaginous material, especially of the pe- 1 preferably a good grade of lubricating oil derived from petroleum or other mineral source. However, vegetable oils or other may be used for some purposes. A preferred composition consists essentially of a petroleum lubricating oil containing an alkali metal fatty acid soap in amount less than by weight of the oil.

The following is an illustration of the effect of adding small amounts of alkali met-a1 soaps of stearic acid, oleic acid, and the like. A lubricating oil of 285 viscosity (Saybolt) at 100 F., with which was incorporate of a hard, white soap of substantial purity, tested on an Olsen frie tion machine at a total feed rate of 40 drops per minute, showed a friction of 5 up to 6 lbs. only, with hearing pressures from up to 175 lbs. per square inch, and the revolutions per minute-from 300 up to 710, and

the bearing temperature from 86v F. up

to 119 F. The same lubricating oil without the soap at the same total feed rate of drops per minute, showed a friction of 8 up to 11.5 lbs. with bearing pressures from 25 up to 100 lbs. per square inch, and 300 revolutions per minute and bearing temperatures from 88 F. up to 108 F.

This improvement is believed to be due to the action of the soap in increasing the power of the oil to maintain a lubricating film. This is accomplished with minimal amounts of soa and without changing the order of viscoslty of the original 011. For example, in the com osition referred to above, the viscosity 0 the oil may be increased, by the addition of the soap, from 285 to about 340 seconds Saybolt at 100 F. Such an increase does not undesirably Application filed November 21, 1924. Serial No. 751,401.

affect the viscosity; that is, it does not make a grease Or a bodied-up oil too heavy for good use inthe crank case of an automobile.

In preparing the improved lubricating compositions, it is generally desirable to heat the-mixture of oil and soap. Solution of the soap is facilitated in this way and there is no appreciable subsequent tendency to separation, which is sometimes an objection to compositions prepared by admire ture without heating. Temperatures up to the boiling point of the oil are permissible, though lower temperatures williin general suffice. For example, in making up a composition containing lubricating oil of about 285 Saybolt viscosity at 100 F., and a sodium soap in solid condition, I prefer to heat to about 450 F. The soap may be in finely divided condition. when added to the oil.

I have found that it is advantageous in many cases to form the soap in the body ofloil by adding thereto the desired base and fatty acid' in substantially combining proportions. When proceeding in this way it is possible to secure the desired result at a temperature of 350 to 375 F. This reduction of temperature, as compared with that necessary to secure the solution of a preformed soap, is of large impartance. Among the principal advantages of working at relatively low temperatures are the avoidance of discoloring of the oil and the reduced fire risk in making up the composition.

Alternatively the soap may be introduced into the oil in water solution. WVhen workwater passes as readily during the heating and causes no ditiiculty. I regard the use of water-containing soaps in making up'oilsoap compositions of the kind described, as an important and novel feature. Heretofore it has ordinarily been considered that the soaps used for such purpose, whether preformed or formed in situ, must be anhydrous if good results are to be obtained. My

experiments show that this is not the case; on the contrary there is considerable advantage in using aqueous solutions on account of the lowered temperature at which the composition may be prepared. No particular h of soap so ution is necessary;

solutions are in .general satisfactory. When using a fatty acid, such as oleic acid, and caustic soda in forming the soap i in the oil, it is generally satisfactory to use these materials in chemically equivalent amounts. If a saponifiable oil, for example corn oil, is to be used instead of the fatty acid, I prefer to have the saponifiable oil present in some excess.

Another way in which the invention may be carried out involves the preparation of a concentrated solution or gel of soap in oil. 1'% or more of the soap, which may be in solid form or in solution, may be incorporatedin the oil to form a stiff gelatinous The properamountof the concentrated solution may then be mixed with a suitable lubricating oil. The mixing should be thorough and should be conducted in the absence of air to an emulsion.

I am aware that lubricating greases, etc.,

i have been made in which lime soaps, soda 1 with a function not previously soaps and the like have been ingredients, butin these the proportion of soap has been large and the consistency of the composition has'been designedly increased thereby. My invention, on the other hand, is connected known, viz, the increasing of the film-maintaining property of a lubricating oil by the addition of soaps, and this result is attained with minimal proportions and thus altogether Without undesirably affecting the viscosity limits and the ash content of the oil, matters which are of great importance.

The invention is not'limited to the specific details given by way of illustration, and

various changes may be made Within the I scope of the appended claims.

prevent the formation of v taining about by weight of the oil, and heating the mixture to a temperature above 350 F but not above the boiling point of the oil.

2. A lubricating oil'composition formed mainly of a hydrocarbon lubricating oil which contains an alkali soap in effective amount less than by weight, the composition having the same order of viscosity as the said hydrocarbonv lubricating oil before the addition of the soap.

3. A lubricating oil composition formed mainly of a hydrocarbon lubricating oil containing an alkali base soap in effective amount less than by Weight.

4. A. lubricating oil composition formed mainly of a h drocarbon lubricating oil containing a so ium soap in effective amount less than by Weight.

5. A lubricating oil composition formed mainly of a hydrocarbon lubricating oil conby weight of an alkali metal soap of a fatty acid.

6. A lubricating oil composition formed mainly of a hydrocarbon lubricating oil containing an alkali metal-fatty acid soap in effective amount less than by weight.

7. A lubricating oil composition formed mainly of a hydrocarbon lubricating oil containing about by weight of a hard, White, alkali metal soap of substantial purity.

8. A lubricating oil composition formed mainly of a hydrocarbon lubricating oil having a Saybolt viscosity of about 285 at 100 F., and containing an alkali metal soap in effective amount less than by Weight.

9. A lubricating oil composition formed mainly of a hydrocarbon lubricating oil containing an alkali soap in amount and physical condition adapted to increase the film-maintaining property of the oil without undesirably increasing the ash content of the oil, the finished composition and the original oil having the same order of viscosity.

ARMAN E. BECKER. 

